Thursday, 24 June 2010

{Thanks for the Toy Sack-love :) If you need an introduction to these toy sacks then read my previous post here.}

This is a long tutorial...stick with me...if you keep scrolling all the way down to the end, I've got a toy sack to GIVE AWAY! So if you aren't a sewer or want a toy sack without any work, now is your chance to enter :)

"Peek-A-Boo"ToySacks Tutorial!!!

To make a "Peek-A-Boo" Toy Sack, you will need:One 10 3/4" x 12 1/2" rectangle of fabric cut from exterior and lining for front of bagOne 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle of fabric cut from exterior and lining for front of bagTwo 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles of fabric cut from exterior and lining for front of bagOne 16 3/4" x 12 1/2" rectangle of fabric cut from exterior and lining for back of bagOne 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle cut from tablecloth plastic for windowOne 1 1/2" x width of the fabric (40"-44") strip cut from contrast fabric for drawstringOne 2" x width of the fabric (40"-44") strip cut from contrast fabric for casing

FYI:* Exterior fabric is blue/white zigzag* Lining fabric is white* Casing and drawstring fabric is red* Plastic window is clear PVC "tablecloth" plastic - this comes in 3 thicknesses (from Spotlight), I use the middle thickness because it is strong but thin enough to use your regular sewing machine needle on.Step 1.Take one of the 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles of fabric cut from exterior and lay on the table with right side facing up. Take your rectangle cut from plastic sheet and lay on top of exterior fabric, matching up short edge of plastic strip with long edge of exterior fabric. Take one of the 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles of fabric cut from lining and lay on top of the plastic sheet with right side facing down. Match up raw edges (the plastic sheet should be sandwiched between the exterior and lining fabrics). Using pins on the plastic sheet will make holes, to hold in place, use a few paper clips along the raw edge.Sew together along paper clipped edge, using 1/4" seam.Repeat to attach other 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles of fabric cut from exterior and lining on the opposite short edge of plastic sheet. Fold fabric out so that wrong sides are touching. You can't iron near the plastic sheet, so firmly press seams flat with your fingertips.Step 2.Take the 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangles of fabric cut from exterior and lining and attach to the bottom long edge of the plastic sheet and side pieces of fabric in the same way you attached the side pieces. Match up raw edges and pin or paper clip into place. You can use pins where you are joining fabric to fabric.Sew along pinned/paperclipped edge using a 1/4" seam. Open out fabric so that wrong sides are touching and firmly press seams flat using fingertips.

Step 3.Take the 10 3/4" x 12 1/2" rectangles of fabric cut from exterior and lining and attach the top long edge of the plastic sheet and side pieces of fabric in the same way you attached the bottom piece. Open out fabric so that wrong sides are facing and firmly press seams flat using fingertips.

{Exterior of front of sack}

{Lining of front of sack}

Topstitch about 1/8" away from the edge around the entire window.

Step 4.Make a hem at the top of the sack by taking front of sack and folding the right side of the top raw edge of exterior and lining fabrics under 1/2". Take the 16 3/4" x 12 1/2" rectangles of fabric cut from exterior and lining and fold the right side of the top raw edge of both pieces of fabric under 1/2".Take lining back piece and lay on the table with right side facing up. Place front of sack so that exterior is facing up and front lining is facing back lining piece . Take exterior back piece and lay on top of the stack with wrong side up so that right sides of exterior fabric are facing.

Match up top folded edges of all four layers of fabric so that they are perfectly aligned (this will ensure a neat finish to the top hem of your sack.) Match up raw side and bottom edges of sack and pin into place. You should have four layers of fabric pinned together.

Sew together around pinned edge using a 1/4" seam. Trim bottom corners off sack, making sure not to clip your stitching.Turn bag right sides out, pushing lining fabric inside exterior. Match up top folded edge of sack and pin front exterior and lining pieces together and back exterior and lining pieces together. Sew around pinned edge, close to the folded edge of the fabric.

Step 4.Take strips cut from contrasting fabric for casing and drawstring and make a center fold by folding in half, length ways, so that wrong sides of fabric are touching. Open out and fold both long raw edges of fabric in towards the center fold.

A much, much easier way to do this is to invest in a couple of bias binding makers...they are GREAT! Very affordable (I think about $10 each?) and make light work of making binding. The two I used for this project are made by Clover. The pink one - 18mm is used for the 1 1/2" wide strip of fabric and is the size I use most often when making clothing. The blue one - 25mm is used for the 2" wide strip of fabric. (Nicole Mallalieu has a great tutorial showing how to use these cool gadgets on her blog).

Set thin drawstring strip aside for now.Step 5.Take thicker strip for casing and fold one short raw edge under about 1/2". Press.Align folded edge of strip with side seam of sack. Position strip so that it is sitting about 1/2" from top edge of sack and pin into place. Continue pinning until strip has made it's way around the entire sack.

When you get back to the side seam you started at, trim the strip so that it overlaps the beginning of the strip about 1/2", then fold short raw edge of the end of the strip under 1/2" and align folded edge with the side seam of the sack. There should be an opening between the two folded ends of the strip, this is where you will insert your drawstring. Pin into place.

Sew around the top and bottom edges of the strip, close to the edge to secure strip into place and form casing for drawstring.

Take thin drawstring strip and fold in half, length wise once again so that raw edges of the strip are enclosed. Sew down opened edge of the strip, close to the edge to secure.

Attach a safety pin to one end of the drawstring and thread through the casing. Tie a knot at each end of the drawstring.

Snip stray threads and you are done!!

If you make a "Peek-A-Boo" Toy Sack, I would love to see it! Send me an email or add your photo to the Make It Perfect Flickr Group.Okay - for the giveaway...

To win THIS "Peek-A-Boo" Toy Sack (made from Paula Prass, Summer Soiree, Chevron in Aqua) as well as eight 10" x 12" squares of Ta Dot fabric (used in my toy sacks) leave a comment on this blog post and share what else you could use a toy sack for besides organising toys...

For an extra entry, become a follower of my blog and leave a separate comment to tell me that you follow. If you are already a follower, leave a separate comment telling me so and you will receive an extra entry too.The giveaway winner will be draw randomly next Monday evening, 28th June and is open to everyone :)

Oh my goodness!! Soooooo many uses but i would probably use it to store all the little bits and pieces that my girls seem to need in the car. As we live in the country and travel back and forth to Melbourne quite often we tend to spend alot of time in the car and manage to build up quite an assortment of "stuff"

I would use them for sorting the kids socks.A bag each for their school socks and then a bag each for their weekend/dress socks.

Also wierd but one each for their underwear. They constantly complain they have none in their draws (despite owning atleast 30 pair each :0 ) If i keep them in these bags they won't be tempted to empty their draw into the laundry every day ggrrr.

Now what would I use it for? My g-son has trouble keeping up with his colors. The color monster eats them 8>) Anyway, I think this would be great for him because I think if he could see them he would put them in the bag so they wouldn't get lost. Of course along with his dinosaurs!! Little boys, go figure??*^%#

What a great tutorial.I would use it for lego, or my daughters arts and crafts, or even hang it on her door with her hats and scarfs in it. Or even maybe take it to ballet and have her ballet clothes in there. oooooh, endless possibilities.

These are so cute Toni, much more stylish than the old pillowcases I've been using for Lego and Little People! I could see these being used to store kids craft bits and pieces, as activity bags for long car trips, for girls paraphenalia-brushes, lipgloss, hairdoodads. They would make nice knitting bags too- present idea for my mum!I could even put some of my UFO's in them- but they might never make it back out of the bag!!

I think they would make great bags for sorting things in the kids suitcases when travelling. Easy to see which one has socks, undies, tops, pants etc without rummaging through everything. Or even have a full days set of clothes in each.

Um I like the idea of using it to take on the long southern drives and having all things in them to entertain for 3-6 hours (depending on the day!!) or for hair stuff - that always disappears?!?! Or a church doodab bag

Great tutorial!! Thanks for sharing I can't wait to make my own sack.It will be great to store knitting/crochet supplies (yarn, needles)or use it as a lunch bags for children.Love your fabric combo, and dots fabric are lovely!Elena

What great bags...I will have to make one. What would I use these bags for....keeping the picnic plates etc in ...you can never find the bits you need so it would be good to hang them up under the stairs.

I just became a follower last night US time. I am already in love with your "peek-a-boo" toy sacks! I've got the same problem at my house. Another use I would use these for is to keep mess kits in when camping, games to play at picnics, my daughter will even use one of these to keep all things girly in!

I love this idea...I actually think it would be really fun for gift wrapping...a little "teaser" into the fun they will get to open and very green since they will not have to throw away the wrapping. Thanks for the tutorial...I will be making these soon!

Thank you SO much for your lovely pattern! I would use these toy sacks for a toiletry bag, for holding unnder garments, shoes, or other things on vacation. You can never have enough little bags while traveling!! I think I will try to make some of these bags and give you all the credit for my inspirations! Thanks so much!!!:)

what a fabulous bag! thank you for the tutorial...I think we will use ours for the kids to pack up their stuff for the car to keep them busy.would also be great for craft supplies and knitting supplies!

I think this bag would be great to use for organizing bunches of things...safey googles in my classroom, mittens and scarves in the closet, lost and found items in the kitchen...i could go on and on!! Thanks for such a great tute!

I'd use them to store sewing projects--a separate bag for each project. Right now I reuse those clear zipper/snap bags sheets and stuff come in, but these are much cuter. Then I'd just have to find the time and some motivation to actually finish what I started!

i LOVE this idea! i've been looking for ways to use my stash of plastic. now i can! i think i'd use them for my boxes of rogue ribbon and even for my mounds of projects that hang out in grocery store plastic bags. these would definitely be much prettier! thanks for the tute...

Love these bags!! What a great idea. I'm now a follower. These would be great for church. I could put my girls quite books, coloring books, crayons and small toys in them. I'm sure they would love to carry this super cute bag to church every week. I hope I win:)!!!

I'm a follower, I love your blog and your Toy Sacks!! You could use them to hold wool and other crafty pieces. Also accessories like scarves, beanies and headbands. I would like to have some hooks near the door for socks, beanies and scarves for winter!

What a great idea with the window. The ones I have made don't have such a fancy feature!!! With the window they'd be fantastic for storing shoes in - tidy but still able to find - and both shoes in one place, that would be a change!!!

That's a beautiful bag. With 3 kids, the most obvious thing for me would be to differentiate whose toys are whose but I'd love to use it to sort my different crochet projects. Or a a gift bag for a birthday present.

Hi Toni,Love the idea. I would love to use it for myself... as I am always seraching around the bottom of my bag for my keys, wallet, phone, lip gloss, mints etc !! LOL !!!keep up the great ideas. Thanks kelly XXX

Brilliant idea, I'm making some. My little people are driving me spare with all the blocks that fly out of the toy cupboard because they've got no home. I'm going to make one for my hubby in boofy bloke fabric so he stops shoving his wallet, phone, floss etc into my already pregnant handbag....I'd become a follower but I'm techno-challenged...you're in my "favourites" though!!

Okay - so, I'm a scrapper, paper crafter, etc. I would/could use the peek-a-boo bag for holding my misc stuff like ribbons, buttons, etc that I can't seem to find a perfect container for. I'm also a PreK teacher, so it could be used as a "guess what's inside me" type game (only all you have to do is turn it around to see). We've done this before where they have to guess with clues what's in the bag. Hmmm...now I'm wishing I was a sewer (if that's even a word).

Adorable bags! Oh, what else could I use this for (seriously though...toys is #1). I could see using it in the car to hold my daughter's trinkets. I could also use it in my crafts room to hold ribbon. In the laundry room to hold those "lost socks" until the mate appears. The possibilities are endless!

These are great, and I particularly like that they're so nicely finished on the inside as well - that's quality! I think these would be great for knitting/crocheting or hand sewing projects so you could just grab a bag and get to work on whichever project catches your eye at any given moment :)

Our nieces/nephews are now getting married and having babies, so old Aunt Sandra is going to make a stash of these for gifting purposes - thank you so much for the idea and for the great tutorial!

I would use it for knitting... it would be easy to see just what was in the bag instead of having to open the bag first... many times I have several projects going at one time so this would be fantastic!

I'm thinking that the peak-a-booness would be well used as a way to stash craft projects in progress. Readily accessible (hung up on a peg or hook) with all the materials pulled and grouped per project,peeking happily through the window reminding me to finish up said project and not waste resources rounding up more materials or buying supplies that I already have.

These window sacks are gorgeous! I hope this doesn't sound completely stupid, but I made shoe sacks like this once... now I wish they had windows like yours because when I pack more than one pair of shoes in my suitcase I wouldn't have to pull them out to see which ones are in what bag! Happy creations from tj in germany

Fabulous! Like a lot of creative people with little time, I have a lot of projects on the go at once; so handy to keep all the bits and pieces for each project seperate but easily identifiable when you want to get it out again.

These are so cute & would be great for so many things~~sleepover bag,Shower bag when camping,Pet Toys,Make-up,sewing supplies & even individual craft projects!! Smaller ones for First Aid travel kits!Would love to win this & thanks so much for the Tutorial!!Hugs & Blessings,Pam

**Thank you!**... what a wonderful tutorial!!I just whipped one of these great bags up for my DDIL's knitting!... And will be cutting out lots more for my grandsons' toys and collections!What a wonderfully clever idea!!.. I want lots of these to organize my sewing room!!.. And some of the first ones in there will be to tame my elastics and stretch laces!!**Thank you, again!!**Blessings!!!Pat T.

What a great idea!!! You wrote a very easy to follow tutorial also. I had not come across your blog until today but you are sure going to be on my feeds from here out. My "kid" is 16 but I can still think of some great uses for these bags!!!

I want to be a follower too! I've watched your posts on FFD and I saw this one and was very impressed! I'd love to have one of these peek-a-boo bags for all our fisher price little people we have or maybe to store our hot wheel cars in. The possibilites are endless!Now, if I could just figure out how to sew :)